William Arthur Prentice Was Born at Strwberry Hall, Willisham, on 19

William Arthur Prentice was born at Strawberry Hall, Willisham, on 19 November 1915, the third child of Robert and Mary Elizabeth Prentice. Apparently, the midwife remarked, “you’ve got a little Sandy here Mrs. Prentice”, as Ruth and Bob were both dark skinned and William’s was pale. So that’s where he gained the nickname Sandy. He spent half of his life in Willisham and the surrounding villages, where he was always known as Sandy and the other half in Ipswich, where he was normally recognised as Bill. He attended Offton School and then worked on various farms in the district. He has often related many tales of his work experiences and his social life, where he enjoyed many enjoyable adventures with his brother Bob and many other friends. On Saturdays, after working in the morning, they would cycle into to Ipswich to support Ipswich Town, then dash into town to buy the ‘Green un’ and then go the pictures. On summer evenings they would cycle all over Suffolk, taking refreshment at the many country pubs. For a time Sandy and Bob jointly owned a Morris 8, which allowed them to explore an even greater area. During the War, Sandy continued working on the land and he was also a member of the local Home Guard unit, where he enjoyed many interesting experiences with his friends. Although he had known his future wife, Ida Wyartt from nearby Flowton, for several years their romance did not blossom until just before the War. As Ida was in the Women’s Royal Air Force, they married on 15 July 1944, at the village of Shippon, which is next to RAF Abingdon (near Oxford), where she was stationed and spent their honeymoon at Henley on Thames. They went on to celebrate their Golden Wedding in 1994 and on a wonderful sunny summer’s day, they were delighted with the gathering of family and friends. Their son, Stephen was born in March 1947, whilst Sandy and Ida were living at Lovetofts Farm, where the Whitehouse Estate (Ipswich) now stands and shortly afterwards they moved to Flowton Hall, where Sandy was the farm Foreman for Mrs and Mrs Clarke. Their daughter Hazel was born in February 1950 and they continued living there until October 1954, when they moved to Ipswich. After working one campaign at the Sugar Beet Factory, Bill commenced working at the Fisons fertiliser factory at Cliff Quay, eventually spending twenty five happy years doing various jobs. He spent most of his time as a shift tester and as a process operator on the granulating plant until he retired in 1981. After receiving an invitation from their local greengrocer and England International, Derek Johnson, Bill and Ida joined the Margaret Catchpole Bowls Club in 1976. Here Bill spent some of his happiest years in the company of his contemporaries, including his great friend Albert Markwell. For twenty years he played at the Ipswich & District Indoor Bowling Club, where he was a valuable member Ken Jennings and Dave Mote’s team for almost all of this period. Bill enjoyed a thirteen year spell as Greenkeeper at the Margaret Catchpole, during which the Green and surrounds where kept in immaculate condition, just like his garden. He also introduced Steve and Neil to the club and was a Life Member of the club. It was a great day for the family, when he played with Ida, grandson Neil and son Steve, as a rink in the Mixed Fours league. The Suffolk countryside was very dear to Bill, whilst he was on shiftwork at Fisons, he walked the fields and woods of this area and also the area around South East Ipswich. Since their retirement, Ida and Bill were to be seen daily strolling around the Ipswich Airport and the beautiful woods reaching down to the River Orwell. They made many friends, as they enjoyed meeting other walkers, Bill would be puffing away on his familiar pipe and Ida would be admiring all the dogs they met. Bill was also a lifelong Ipswich Town supporter, he was one of the original shareholders of the professional club and was very proud of the club’s many wonderful achievements. He particularly enjoyed seeing Ipswich Town beat Tottenham at White Hart Lane in March 1962 and Ted Phillips was his favourite player. In his younger days, he had played football for Somersham and Bramford. Bill was very proud of his family and followed the progress of his grandchildren quietly in the background and with great interest. As her condition slowly deteriorated, Bill spent five years as Ida’s full time carer. A monumental task he carried out with love and without complaint, until July 1998 when it all became too much for him. Once he was satisfied that Ida was settled into a Nursing Home, although lonely, Bill used his new found freedom to visit his old haunts in this area and also following his beloved Margaret Catchpole Bowls Club. He visited Ida three or four times a week and they were both popular figures with the staff and other visitors. He was very active right to his final day, when he had cooked his dinner and had his bowls bag by the front door already for that evening’s match at the Indoor Club. Sadly, he never made the match, but he was there in spirit. .

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